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Home » ALL RECIPES » Quick And Easy Homemade Scones

Quick And Easy Homemade Scones

Author: Karon Grieve Published : July 2018

Recipe
simple scones
Simple Scones

These delicious homemade scones are super quick and easy to make and so light and fluffy, once you’ve made them you will be hooked and never buy storebought scones again!

close up of  scones recipe

What’s to love about this recipe

  • Homemade scones are super tasty, way better than anything you can buy in the shops I promise.
  • Simplicity – this is a super easy scone recipe.
  • Speed – homemade scones are ready start to finish in about 20 minutes including the baking time!
  • Ecconomical – these simple scones have only 4 ingredients and none are expensive, it is all store cupboard stuff you will already have in the kitchen.

Whether you like your scones with cream and jam or with butter as they just come out of the oven, this recipe for simple scones should tick all the boxes for you.

How do you pronounce scones?

I’m from Scotland and we say scone to rhyme with lawn. In southern England they tend to rhyme scone with own. Whatever you decide to call them a good homemade scone is a delicious tea time treat.

scones cooling on wire rack

The inspiration

I’ve been baking scones for as long as I can remember. They were the first things my Mum taught me how to bake when I was a little girl.

She taught me well when it came to baking as I’ve gone on to have my own Scottish baking book published that is now into its third print run and sells worldwide. You can see more about Simply Scottish Cakes & Bakes which you can find on my book page.

Once into that, you’ll find yourself baking up a storm and have a kitchen liberally covered in flour and yourself at least half a stone heavier if you eat all your lovely bakes. I certainly put on that much weight and more when I was writing the book.

The complete list of ingredients and full instructions for making this recipe can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

single scone on saucer with tea cup and plate of other scones behind

Ingredients

There are only 4 main ingredients in this simple homemade scones recipe;

Flour – I’ve used self-raising (baking flour) flour for my scones. Self-raising flour already has a rising agent added to it so you get lighter fluffier scones.

Butter – use unsalted or salted butter. I always like to use unsalted butter for my scone recipe and just add a pinch of salt to my mixture.

Milk – you can use full-fat milk or semi-skimmed milk for these simple homemade scones. I wouldn’t try making them with skimmed milk though.

Sugar – caster sugar and not much of it. You don’t want your homemade scones to taste too sweet. Scones are not meant to be as sweet as cakes.

close up with cream and jam

How to make homemade scones

You want your butter to be chilled so you can rub it in with the flour, sugar and salt to get a nice breadcrumb-like mixture.

Now add the milk and mix well to make a dough for your scones.

Roll out the scone dough on a lightly floured surface (so it doesn’t stick to the board/work surface) and make sure it is about 2cm/1″ thick (or go to 1 1/2″). Don’t roll out the dough too thinly or you will get really flat looking scones.

Use a fluted cookie cutter to cut out each scone but DO NOT twist the cutter when you pull it up out of the scone dough. If you twist the cutter your scones with twist in the oven and come out misshapen.

Brush your scones with a little milk before baking. This will give them a nice golden colour.

Bake these simple scones in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the scones are lightly golden.

Flavour additions for scones

You can add all sorts of tasty extras to your homemade scones. From dried fruit to chocolate chips or cheese and chives. Check out my other scone recipes below for some great ideas.

Once you have made these simple scones you’ll be whipping them up on a regular basis, a great way to show off your lovely homemade jams and jellies that you’ll find all over this blog, just check out my homemade jams section for loads of ideas.

plate of three scones filled with cream and jam

Serving suggestions

Of course, the traditional way to serve these is with cream and jam as you do in a cream tea. Go on, go for it, forget the calories and just enjoy!

Scones and cream teas

The classic British cream tea means a scone with clotted cream and jam (usually strawberry jam). There is always great debate as to whether the cream or the jam goes on the scone first. I like to serve my scones with cream and jam with the cream on first. It is all a matter of personal choice really.

How long do they keep?

Homemade scones are always best on the day you make them, however, they will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

When I keep them like this I like to warm them up a little before serving just to freshen them up a wee bit.

Can you freeze scones?

Yes, you can, scones freeze really well. Just pop them into a freezer-proof container and they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before eating. I like to warm mine in the oven first.

larder links

Looking for more scone baking inspiration? Then check out these quick and easy recipes;

Treacle Scones

Spiced Apple Scones

Cheese Scones

3 Ingredient Prosecco Scones

Scotch pancakes (aka drop scones) + video

Potato scones (aka tattie scones)

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.

Photos And Tips AboveMost of my recipes have step by step photos and useful tips plus videos too, see above.
quick and easy simple scones recipe by larderlove

Quick and easy simple scones

Karon Grieve
Super easy recipe for simple scones to serve with cream and jam or anything you like really
3.74 from 19 votes
Print Recipe Comment Bookmark Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course baking
Cuisine Scottish
Servings 8 people
Calories 131 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 225 g self raising flour
  • 50 g unsalted butter diced and chilled
  • 1 Pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp caster sugar
  • 150 ml milk
Metric – US Customary

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200C/400F and line a baking tray with paper
  • Sift flour, salt and sugar into large bowl and gently rub in the butter with fingertips to make breadcrumb like mixture
  • Stir in the milk till you get a workable dough and tip out on to floured surface
  • Roll out to 2-3cm (3/4”) thick and cut into rounds, brush with a little milk to glaze them
  • Bake for 15 mins or until golden and cool on wire rack (makes approx 8)

Notes

Scones are always better on the day they are baked but will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight box, you can rewarm them in the oven to refresh them.
Scones freeze well for up to 3 months

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 11mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 150IUCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.2mg
My Top Tips*Always read the full recipe first. *Assemble all your ingredients and everything you need before you start. *For baking check the size of tins I’m using as this makes a big difference to your cakes. * I use medium sized eggs unless otherwise stated. * I use extra virgin olive oil unless otherwise stated. * I use unsalted butter unless otherwise stated. * Check out My Preserving Kit!
Tried this recipe?Mention @LarderLove or tag #LarderLove

 

Filed Under: ALL RECIPES, Home Baking, Scottish Recipes, Trending Now

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Comments

  1. Lydia Mwanza says

    January 28, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    I the scones

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      January 29, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      Thanks
      K

      Reply
  2. Lydia Mwanza says

    January 28, 2021 at 8:37 pm

    I love simple scones.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      January 29, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Lydia
      Glad you like the scones
      K

      Reply
  3. Sheila says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:47 am

    I love making scones but I usually put 1 egg and a small amount of milk in to bind the mixture – I will certainly try your recipe with milk rather than egg and milk. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      May 2, 2023 at 8:59 am

      Hi Shiela
      Hope you enjoy the scones
      K

      Reply
  4. Margaret says

    October 6, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    3 stars
    My scones never rise very well and it’s the same with this recipe. What am I doing wrong ?
    Found recipe very easy to follow so I must be doing something wrong.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      October 9, 2023 at 8:45 am

      Hi Margaret
      Make sure your ingredients are in date, that you aren’t over mixing, that oven is hot enough before you put them in to bake and that they arent spaced too far apart. All these things can make a difference to the rise in scones. hope something here helps.
      K

      Reply
  5. Jess says

    October 8, 2023 at 10:43 am

    Hi Shiela, a good recipe. Incidentally I’m Scottish and I would never say scone to rhyme with lawn. Always rhymes with “own” in central and west Scotland. Maybe you are east coast or borders, or a typo maybe?

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      October 9, 2023 at 8:40 am

      Hi Jess.
      No idea who Sheila is, maybe its a typo. I am from Edinburgh and that is how we have always pronounced the word scone. Quite frankly it doesn’t really matter as long as you enjoy eating them.
      K

      Reply
      • Josephine B says

        June 14, 2024 at 10:11 am

        Hi Karon, I agree with you that it doesn’t matter where one comes from. I’m in Australia and have just joined your your site as a member because I saw too many absolutely gorgeous drop-dead recipes. I love a “Good ‘ol Scone” and your recipe here is the same as my mother used to make and always win 1st prize at our country shows. Thank you for sharing all your cooking expertise.

        Reply
        • Karon Grieve says

          June 18, 2024 at 10:31 am

          Hi Josephine
          Great to have you visit my blog all the way from Australia and good to hear you like a good old fashioned scone too.
          K

          Reply
  6. Noreen says

    June 2, 2024 at 3:12 pm

    Can the self-rising flour be substituted ?

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      June 4, 2024 at 9:52 am

      Hi Noreen
      You can make your own self raising flour by adding 2 tsp baking powder to 150g plain flour. Hope this helps.
      K

      Reply
  7. DEREK SMITH says

    July 23, 2024 at 11:00 am

    I am 84 and never cooked in my life. Tried your recipe and they came out fantastic. You made an old man very happy

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      July 23, 2024 at 12:16 pm

      Hi Derek
      Glad the scones were such a success and you enjoyed them so much.
      K

      Reply
  8. Marie says

    December 6, 2024 at 5:21 pm

    Thank you for this lovely but very easy recipe. My friends and family really enjoyed the scones.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      December 8, 2024 at 10:52 am

      Hi Marie,
      So glad you all enjoyed the scones so much, thanks for letting me know.
      K

      Reply
  9. Niall Heron says

    December 19, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    I love how simple and beautiful the scones are my kids love them.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      December 20, 2024 at 11:20 am

      Hi Niall
      So glad the recipe was such a success for you and that your kids loved the scones so much.
      K

      Reply
  10. Zann Liew says

    December 24, 2024 at 7:42 am

    5 stars
    I just made these scones and I love them! Easy enough for someone like me who has never made scones before

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      December 29, 2024 at 9:58 am

      Hi Zann
      Great to hear you liked the scones so much and found them easy to make.
      K

      Reply
  11. Maria says

    January 21, 2025 at 12:32 pm

    5 stars
    I made scones for an English tea party sticking religiously to your recipe. ( 1st time in my life making scones lol. ) Got lots of compliments from my friends and family. So thank you very much!!!

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      January 27, 2025 at 9:59 am

      Hi Maria
      So glad my recipe for scones turned out so well for you and that everyone liked them so much.
      K

      Reply
  12. Sarah says

    April 5, 2025 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe, my scones worked perfectly

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      April 6, 2025 at 4:57 pm

      Hi Sarah
      YThanks so much, glad you liked the scones so much.
      K

      Reply
  13. Allison Davies says

    May 5, 2025 at 9:12 am

    Hello, can i please ask if the servings equate to 1 scone each or 2?

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      May 5, 2025 at 10:09 am

      Hi Alison,
      Recipe makes 8 scones and calories are therefore calculated per scone. So it depends how many you want to eat as to how many calories, but the values shown are per scone. Hope this helps
      K

      Reply
3.74 from 19 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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